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Tiger 



BY WITTER BTNNER 

AN ODE TO HARVARD 

AND OTHER POEMS 
TIGER 



TIGER 

by WITTER BYNNER 




NEW YORK 
MITCHELL KENNERLEY 

1913 



COPYRIGHT I913 BY 
MITCHELL KENNERLEY 



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£ 



©CI.A351445 



TIGER 



'Tiger, tiger, burning bright 
In the forests of the night, 
What immortal hand or eye 
Framed thy fearful symmetry?* 



Tiger 



Time: To-night. 

Scene: A room in a house not far east of 
Times Square. A curtained door at the back 
of the stage leads into the hallway. A closed 
door at the right leads into an inner bedroom. 
The furniture and pictures are more showy 
than expensive. The shades are drawn. 

At the rise of the curtain, the keeper of the 
house sits in an easy-chair. She is a woman 
of thirty-five, handsome, well-dressed. Her 
familiars call her Tiger, on account of her 
hard, lithe brilliance. She is looking over a 
handful of bills and writing cheques with a 
fountain-pen on the arm of the chair. On a 
couch reclines Annabel, a girl of twenty-four, 
beginning to fade under her paint, but an effec- 
tive type still, with her hair parted and drawn 
simply over her forehead to a flat coil behind. 

7 



8 Tiger 

She is in a loose, thin dressing-gown, reading 
a novel, eating chocolates and smoking cigar- 
ettes. An ash-tray, cigarettes, chewing-gum 
and the chocolates are on a chair beside the 
couch. At a table across the room, a man of 
thirty, with somewhat refined features, a sug- 
gestive pallor and flush, and a habit of biting 
the skin on his red lips and of rubbing his 
thumb over his finger-tips, is pouring himself 
a glass of straight gin. He is over-dressed, 
over-mannered and wears several bright rings, 
but might pass with the young for a gentleman. 
On account of what is known as his 'class,' he 
has been dubbed The Baron. 

Annabel. 

Put water in it, Baron. Spare your liver. 

Baron. 

Mind your own liver and shut up, will you ? 

Whenever I want your dope, I'll ask for it. 
[She returns to her reading. He gulps 
his drink, then loiters toward Tiger. Sud- 
denly he sits on the arm of her chair, 
catches her close and kisses her hard~\ 



Tiger 9 

Tiger. 

[Pushing him away] 

Cut out that stuff, Baron. 

{Picking up her bills from the floor] 

Come across first 
With what you promised. 

Baron. 

Oh, you needn't worry, 
Dear Mama Shylock. You're going to 

have your pound 
Of flesh, — I've said that you shall have her 

here 
To-night. She may be waiting for me now — 

[He looks at his wrist-watch] 
Less than a block away, ready to serve 
And honor and obey me. — Damn you, 

Tiger ! 
I wonder if I love you more or hate you. 
Damn you, anyway ! 

Tiger. 

Oh, swear your head off! 
Go over it again, make up your mind 
One way and then the other! 



io Tiger 

[Looking up from her bills'] 

Kiss me, kid ! 
[He kisses her hungrily. She stands up 
and throws him away from her] 
Now snarl at me, you cur. I don't know 

why 
I keep you round; except to purr and snarl 
Myself, — first kiss your feminine eyes 

because 
They look so lost in the world, then curse 

your breed, 
You most of all, because you're so unlike 
The brutes I'm tired of. 

[She crosses to lay bills and cheques in 
her desk] 

But what's the use 
Of bothering? You suit me. And you're 

good 
For the business. Run along and bring her 
here. 
[She sits at her desk and writes] 

Baron. 

Remember now. She's young, and I'm her 
first 



Tiger i i 

Offence. And I've been careful with her, 

Tiger, 
Not touched her fingers only once or twice 
And used good English and been sym- 
pathetic. 

Tiger. 

Oh, yes, I know all that. 

Baron. 

[Taking a cigarette from Annabel's 
supply'] 

She's different tho', 

She hasn't got the taste for it beforehand 
Most of them have. 

Tiger. 

[Looking round as she seals a letter] 

Then she's the very kind 
We want, old boy. The other kind is com- 
mon 
And some of our customers amuse them- 
selves, 
You know, by being fastidious. Is she a 
blonde? 



12 



Tiger 



Baron. 
Brunette. 

Tiger. 

Worse luck. 
Baron. 

No, you can fix that up. 
Light hair'd go fine with her dark eyes, good 

change. 
She's just the girl for it, solemn and slow 
And innocent. Poor kid, I pity her. 

Tiger. 

You act like you were getting stuck on her; 
Perhaps she'll keep you when you're tired 
of me. 

Baron. 

You've got me hypnotized. I don't get tired. 



Tiger. 

[She approaches him, seductively, mock- 
ingly] 
Be true to me, sweetheart! 



Tiger 13 

Baron. 

To hell with you! 

[She lays her hand insidiously on his arm. 
At once he seizes and kisses her. She 
leads him to the hallway door, and opens 
it as he kisses her again, then she pushes 
him out with both hands and, closing the 
door, turns back to Annabel, who at every 
amorous passage between Tiger and the 
Baron has looked up from her book and 
watched with curious but accustomed in- 
terest'] 

Annabel. 

[Chewing gum] 
Gee, but I wish I had a man like that! 

Tiger. 

You'd have one, dear, if you were business- 
like. 

Annabel. 

[Shaking her head and marking her place 
in the book with a cigarette] 
I couldn't hold a man. They get so bored 
With me. And, after all, there isn't much 



i4 Tiger 

To say to one man. I'd be bored myself 
To have to think of new things all the time. 
Variety, Tiger, is the spice of life, 
Not in the spiel but in the spielers. Dear, 
Do you like my hair this way? One of the 

boys 
Suggested that it makes me look too old. 
I think I'll put it back again. 
[She starts to uncoil it~\ 

Tiger. 

No, no! 
Leave it to me ! You'll be told quick enough 
When you look old. Let it alone. 

Annabel. 

Well, looks 
Ain't everything. I'm getting wise to the 

game. 
Say to a gink, 'Your nose is beautiful,' 
'Your mouth was made to kiss,' or call his 

figure 
Military. 

[She examines herself critically in a hand- 
mirror which she takes from under a sofa- 
cushion] 



Tiger i 5 

Tiger. 

There's just one kind of figure 
That makes a hit with me. A good full 
chest ! 

Annabel. 

Gee, ain't they handsome when they have 
green — backs ! 
[They laugh] 
I told a guy last night that it takes dough 
To make a tart. Dear, that's my own! 

Tiger. 

And say, 

Here's business, Annabel, take it from me! 

You've seen the belly on the dollar-sign? — 

Well, the man who has the stomach has the 

figure! 

Annabel. 

I've noticed that. 

Tiger. 

Sure thing! And while he thinks 



j 6 Tiger 

You're waiting for his phoney kisses — pay 
Attention to his stomach and his roll! 
Make him eat, drink and spend ! My dear, 

the way 
To passion's thro' the stomach every time. 

Annabel. 

[Meditative] 
Champagne, you mean? 

Tiger. 

Eve got there with an apple. 
But the apple has fermented some since then. 

Annabel. 

[Laughing with Tiger] 
We have a good time, don't we! 

Tiger 

You do, dear. 
You've been here seven months and, 

Annabel, 
You never once in all that time have had 
A grouch. 



Tiger i 7 

Annabel. 

You're square with me, Tiger, that's 
why. 

Tiger. 

But, on the level, you don't like the life ? 

Annabel. 

Better than selling underwear to women 
And paying fines on four whole bucks a 

week! 
Talk as you please, the men have more 

respect 
For a girl that's a good looker and can earn 
A seat in a restaurant than for a dub 
Who stands up all day waiting on their 

wives. 

Tiger. 

Besides, you have as good a chance as me 
To save up coin enough before you're old 
And rent a house and get some girls to- 
gether — 
And after a while to live in a good hotel 



1 8 TlGEK 

And settle down respectable. — Perhaps 
A friend or two. But independent. 

Annabel. 

Chance ! 
Yes, I've got that. But, dear, I haven't got 
The brains to make a hit in any line. 
I know my limit and I'm satisfied. 
I'm better off than I ever was at home, 
And that's enough. The future can go hang. 
There's more than one way to prepare a 

corpse. 
Ain't I the cheerful guy? 

Tiger. 

You're lazy, dear, 
That's all the matter with you. 

Annabel. 

Who's the new girl? 
Tiger. 

Oh, I don't know. The Baron falls for me. 

So I can trust his taste. 

Annabel. 

Say, does he fall? 
He's jealous, now, of me! 



Tiger 19 

Tiger. 

Who's on the job 
Downstairs ? 

Annabel. 

Cassie to-night. I'm tired. She knows 
The steps and laughs a lot, loosens 'em up. 
She's popular. 

Tiger. 

And she's the Baron's work, — 1 
He brought her here last winter. Cassie 

thinks 
The Baron the one bet and he, poor kid, 
Just keeps her on because I tell him to. 
And see how well the combination works ? — 
The happy family! 

Annabel. 

Business-like's the word! 

\_A knock is heard at the hallway door'] 

Tiger. 

Quick there! Be business-like yourself for 

once! 
Clear off those things! 



20 Tiger 

Annabel. 

All right. 
[While Annabel puts bottles and glasses 
under the table so that they are hidden by 
the table-cover, Tiger picks up the gum, 
cigarettes and ash-tray from the chair and 
tucks them all under a sofa-cushion. The 
knock is repeated] 

Annabel. 

My fancy-work, 
Where is it? 

Tiger. 

[Taking a piece of embroidery from under 
a cushion] 

Here. 
[She hands it to Annabel and crosses to 
the easy-chair] 

Annabel. 

[Sitting on the couch, with the embroid- 
ery, as tho' she had been sewing] 

Now we're a boarding-house! 



Tiger 2 1 

Tiger. 

Throw me the book! 

[Annabel throws Tiger the novel from 
the couch, Tiger holds it as though she 
had been reading] 

Come in! 

[The Baron enters, leading by the hand 
Margaret, a simple, romantic girl of 
sixteen. She is in street-clothes. She 
looks toward the two women bashfully, 
innocently, as they rise and come toward 
her] 

Baron. 

It's Margaret. 
This is Miss Dillingham, my aunt, and 

here's 
My Cousin Ann. 

Margaret. 

How do you do? Gene's told 
Me lots about you. I suppose you think 
I'm foolish running away like this? 



22 Tiger 

Tiger. 

Why, no! 
You loved each other, Margaret. 

Margaret. 

My aunt 

Was angry when he wanted to call. You 
see, 

She's not like you, Miss Dillingham; she's 
set 

And so old-fashioned. And she thought be- 
cause 

Gene works in a store he isn't good enough. 

She said I never should have talked with 
him 

At all. And then she didn't like his voice 

On the telephone. ... I do, don't I, 
Eugene ! 

Baron. 

[His arm round her] 
I guess you do, darling. 

Margaret. 

You see, my aunt 
Has been with us for years and father takes 



Tiger 23 

Her word as law. I knew what she would 

say 
About Eugene and how she'd make it sound. 
At first I thought he'd better go himself 
And see my father. 

Baron. 

But I told you, dear, 
He wouldn't fall for me. And I couldn't 

give 
You up, now could I ? 

Margaret. 

No. And so I thought 
And thought — and prayed. And finally I 
came. 

Tiger. 

And aren't you tired out? Let Annabel 
Show you your room. You ought to rest 

before 
Your marriage, dear. 

[Annabel opens the bedroom door. Mar- 
garet, vaguely troubled, does not follow 
her'] 



24 

Margaret. 

Baron. 

To-morrow. 



Tiger 



We must be married now. 



Margaret. 



Baron. 



Oh, I thought to-night. 

But first 
I have to get a license and attend 
To things like that. And I can leave you 

here 
With Tige — Miss Dillingham. She'll take 

good care 
Of you. 

Margaret. 

[Doubtfully'] 

I'll do, Gene, as you say. 



Annabel. 

Is ready for you. 



Your room 



Tiger 25 

Margaret. 

[Crossing to the Baron] 

Oh, if only I 
Had seen my father! He might not have 

felt 
As Aunt Louisa felt. It seems so mean 
Of me to run away from him. But I left 
A little message on his dressing-case 
Saying that he would hear from me to- 
morrow. 

Tiger. 

You didn't write him anything about 
Eugene? — or where you 

Margaret. 

We thought best to wait* 
Not to say anything till we could go 
To him together, married, hand in hand, 
And make him like us both. 

Tiger. 

When will he find 
The note? 



26 Tiger 

Margaret. 

To-night. Or — let me see, — 
what day — ? 

Why, it's Friday! Then he won't be home 

till Monday. 
I hadn't thought of that. He always goes 
To the country somewhere Sunday with his 

friends. 
Poor Aunt Louisa will be scared to death 
When I'm not back for dinner. 

Annabel. 

But she'll find 
The note. 

Baron. 

Surely, and send your father word. 

Margaret. 

She won't know where to reach him. 

Annabel. 

Then I'll go 
Outside and 'phone her that you're safe 

with me, — 
One of your friends. Who shall I say I am? 



Tiger 27 

Margaret. 

Oh no, that would be worse. 

Tiger. 

That would be lying. 
You must be tired, Margaret. 

Margaret. 

Yes, I am. 
[With a smile'] 
You see, I never ran away before. 

Annabel. 

Didn't you bring ? 

Margaret. 

I didn't dare. I just 
Went out and walked like some one in a 

dream 
And took the train. My heart was beat- 
ing so, 
I thought that people would look round 
at me. 

Tiger. 

And did they? 



28 Tiger 

Margaret. 

No. 

Tiger. 

That's right ! Come, 
Annabel, 

She's talked enough for now. Lend her 

something 
To wear to-night. 



Annabel. 

Sure will I. 
[As she goes up toward the Hallway door, 
a knock is heard J 

Who's there? 
[She opens the door slightly and takes 
from some one a cup of tea] 

Thanks. 

Tiger. 

[Crossing and taking the cup from 
Annabel} 
Oh, yes, we've made some nice, hot tea. 
[Exit Annabel] 



Tiger 29 



Margaret. 




I don't 


Like tea. 






Tiger. 






Take it this 


once, it 1 


11 do you good. 


Margaret. 






[Tasting it] 






Isn't it very strong? 






Tiger. 








There'* 


j medicine 


Margaret. 






I don't need medicine 







Tiger. 

It's very little. 
Only to rest your nerves and make you 
sleep. 

Margaret. 

[To the Baron"] 
I'll take it if you ask me. 

Baron. 

Take it, dear. 
That's right. All downl 



30 Tiger 

Margaret. 

It burns. 

Baron. 

One 
swallow more ! 
[Annabel returns with a night-dress'] 

Tiger. 

Leave her to Ann and me now till the 
morning. 

Baron. 

There. Thank you, sweetheart. 

[He takes the empty cup from her and 
hands it to Tiger, who lays it down] 

Good-night, 
Margaret 
[He holds her hand in both his] 

Margaret. 

Good-night, Eugene. 

[She shyly lifts her face to him. He kisses 
her] 



Tiger 3 1 

Baron. 

To-morrow, darling! 

Margaret. 

Yes. 

[Margaret goes into the bedroom. Anna- 
bel, with a wink to the others, follows 
her, closing the door. The Baron turns 
from Margaret and looks at Tiger, who 
stands facing him with her arms down. 
She smiles and nods. He crosses to her, 
puts his arms round her, holds her now 
with assurance and kisses her. She re- 
sponds by kissing his eyes. 

The stage now darkens to indicate the 
lapse of time from Friday night to Sunday 
night. When it grows light again, a small 
table is beside the couch, with a chair or 
two round it, and with cards on it 
and poker-chips. The Baron sits on 
the couch idly throwing poker-dice. An- 
nabel, who has been as idly watching 
him, crosses to the closed door of the bed- 
room and leans with her ear to the crack 
of it] 



32 Tiger 

Annabel. 

{Moving away again from the door] 
That little girl's more bother than she's 
worth. 

Baron. 

{Still throwing the dice'] 
The stuff you gave her in that tea started 
The devil in her. Every finger-nail 
In action ! Tiger bawled me out for quitting. 
Poor little girl! I wish she wasn't caught. 
Damn it, I was a dog! 

Annabel. 

Well, you lap the hand 
That feeds you ! 

Baron. 

{Putting down the dice] 

Shut up now! I can know myself 
And kick myself. But I won't let you do it I 

Annabel. 

Oh, well, who wants to kick a rotten egg? 



Tiger 33 

Baron. 

[He jumps up and, catching her by the 
wrist, twists it] 
I'll teach you 

Annabel. 

[Catching him in the stomach with her 
knee~\ 

Will you? 

[Tiger enters from the hallway] 

Tiger. 

Stop making love, 
you two! 
[Crossing and listening at the door] 
How is she, quiet? 

Annabel. 

There hasn't been a squeak 
To-day. 

Baron. 

[Back at his dice] 

My God, she couldn't cry 
any more ! 



34 Tiger 

[Tiger turns round at his tone, crosses to 
him, lifts his chin with her fingers and 
looks into his eyes'] 

Tiger 

If you should dare to let her out, you fool ! 

Baron. 

Who's going to let her out? I did the thing. 
And I know why. And you know why I 
did it! 
Tiger. 

[Walking away from him] 
I've paid you. 

Baron. 

[Amorous] 

Kiss me, Tige! 
Tiger. 

Let me alone 1 
[Turning sharply] 
Good God, you don't think I'm in this for 

fun! 
I'm in it for the future. And there'll be 
No Baron in my future. 
[She walks away again] 



Tiger 35 

Baron. 

\He follows her and, grasping her 
shoulders, turns her to face him] 

Wait and see ! 
You'll need me, Tiger, more than I'll need 
you. 

Tiger. 

[Looking at him shrewdly] 
You think so? Annabel, bring me her 

clothes. 
I guess I'll keep an eye on them myself. 

[Exit Annabel into the haW] 

Baron. 

There's mighty little you don't keep an 
eye on. 

Tiger. 

You nearly took up Cassie for your girl, 
And Cassie bores you, Baron. Some one's 

got 
To use their eyes for you. You don't use 

yours. 



36 Tiger 

Baron. 

You're jealous, Tige. Insult me, kid, I 
love it! 

Tiger. 

It's business, Baron. Jealousy's a joke. 
You know me well enough to quit your bluff 
And quit me too, or else to give this girl 
The go-by. It's plain business. Do you get 
me? 

Annabel. 

[Returning with Margaret's clothes and 
hat] 
Where shall I put them, Tiger? 

Tiger. 

Leave them there 
For now. And put that over them. 

[She indicates her own cloak. Annabel 
lays them on the couch] 

Baron. 

[Cowed'] 

You're dippy. 
I wouldn't do a thing you didn't want. 



Tiger 37 

Tiger. 

[Crossing toward the bedroom] 
What time is it? I guess I'll try again. 

Baron. 

She hasn't had a bite of food — since when? 

Annabel. 

Not since she came. 

Baron. 

Lord, Tiger, give her something I 

Tiger. 

This is my business now. You've done your 

part. 
Get out of here ! 

Baron. 

You bet! 

Tiger. 

Come back on Tuesday. 
These little cooings will be over then. 



38 Tiger 

Baron. 

They're over now. I love you, Tige, you 
devil ! 
[He kisses her passionately'] 

Tiger. 

[Wearily] 
Good-night. 

[Exit the Baron] 

Annabel. 

You sure have got him going, Tiger. 

Tiger. 

I'm sick of him! But I can't throw him 

down. 
The fool might shoot me or else go and blab. 
He's the only one I've cared for in ten years; 
And I knew, the night I met him, that I ought 
To look away and leave him be. It comes 
Of letting sentiment into your business. 



I wonder if I'll ever fall in love. 



Tiger 39 

Tiger. 

The only other man I ever loved 
Married me, and he used me like a dog. 
The time I wasted moping for that boy 
Would have set me up by now in Easy 

Street. 
I hung on fourteen months. He didn't hand 
Me coin enough for food — there were other 

girls 
More business-like who hadn't married 

him — 
Then cussed me when I couldn't buy his 

friends 
Big eats at home. One of them helped me 

out 
The last two months. He liked me. And 

I ran 
Away with him. I learned a lot from him. 
A man's an easy mark unless you love him. 
I love that first one yet. 

\_Crossingi to the bedroom door and signi- 
fying Margaret with her head] 

She loves the Baron. 

[Speaking through the door] 



40 Tiger 

Margaret? — When you choose you can have 

food. 
Just say the word and you'll have it — not 

before. 
You know what good your screams did 

Saturday ! — 
And you can cry till doomsday if you want, 
Nobody'll hear. Your father'll never come. 
And you won't kill yourself. I didn't, dear. 
Just say the word, I'll send you in Eugene — » 
Or some one else — and food! 

Annabel. 

[Improving her make-up. Pallor and red 
lips are effective with her black hair\ 

She may be dead. 
Tiger. 

Dead nothing! I can hear her thro' the 

door. 
She'll come to terms. Hunger and time are 

good 
Persuaders. And she knows the Baron's 

waiting. 
He'll teach her first. Then nothing mat- 
ters. Eight 



Tiger 41 

Or ten hours more at most and she'll begin. 
She'll not be too unhappy, you know that, — 
Probably happier than she would have been 
With a cold husband and an empty life 
Selected for her by her Aunt Louisa. 

[There's a knock at the hallway door. 

Annabel goes to it] 

Tiger. 
Who is it? 

Annabel. 

Willie's here. 
Tiger. 

Well, let him in. 
Annabel. 

You think ? 

Tiger. 

It's safe enough. He's an old friend. 
He knows the game and plays it like a good 

one. 
In fact it's sports like Willie have to have 
The dainty morsels. 

[She moves Annabel out of the way and 
opens the door herself] 



42 Tiger 

Come in. How are things? 
[Enter Willie, a patron, of later middle- 
age, a stout, prosperous-looking , pleasant 
gentleman] 



Willie. 

I'm fine — but hungry, Tiger. Cassie said 

She'd send my supper here. I've been out- 
doors 

All day at Ardsley — golf — played well 
to-day. 

And by the way, we asked a girl out there 

— A decent girl, you know — to join a four- 
some ; 

And what do you suppose she said, not 
meaning it 

At all, referring as she thought to one 

Of the sticks? 'I never play,' she said, 'don't 
know 

A thing about it, shouldn't even know 

Which end of the caddy to use.' 
[They all laugh] 

Good, isn't it! 

Wonderful figure when she tried a stroke, 



Tiger 43 

And a lovely face, no paint, fresh lips, 

young, young! 
You ought to have that kind of girl. I'm 

tired. 
Of all your girls ! I come here still because 
I like you, Tiger. 
{Looking round] 

I'm tired of Annabel. 

Annabel. 

[With a deep bow] 
Oh, thank you, Willie. 

Willie. 

— Cassie, all of them, 
The same old faces. Haven't you something 
new? 

Tiger. 

I'm tired, Willie, of that same old question. 
[A sudden sobbing is heard in the inner 
bedroom] 

Willie. 
Listen ! 

[It dies away into a moan] 
What was that, Tiger? 



44 Tiger 

Tiger. 

[Crossing and whispering in his ear with 
a smile'] 

'Something new I' 

Willie. 

What do you mean? A new one? In that 
room? 

Tiger. 

Come here now, dearie! — On your honor, 

sir, 
As a friend and gentleman — repeat it, 

please ! 

Willie. 

Well, Tiger, on my honor 

Tiger. 

If I put 
You wise to a professional master-stroke, 
You will not preach nor peach? 

Willie. 

I swear. 

Tiger. 

Willie, 
The 'something new' was brought here 



Tiger 45 

Willie. 

Never mind 
The story; is she young? 

Tiger. 

Young as they come, 
And new to it, — in fact rebellious, dear, 
And fasting for her pains. 

Willie. 

I'll break her in ! 

Tiger. 

The Baron's a much better hand at it. 

Willie. 

Oh, come ! It's an adventure ! — let me try ! 
I'll be as gentle as a kitten with her. 

Tiger. 

No, no, — some other time. There's nothing 
in it. 

Willie. 

But, darling, an experience and different! 
Girls like me, Tiger. Come on, let me try I 
I'll make it worth your while. 



46 TlGEH 

Tiger. 

Well, you may have 
Your supper with her, if you want to pay 
Big money. 

Willie. 

Sure. I'm rich to-night. I won 
A case last week. And I am going to win 
Another case to-night, — you know, a case 
Of love at first sight. That's how I feel ! 

Tiger. 

Go in. 

And don't believe the fiction that you'll hear. 
She's peevish now, that's all. You know 

these girls 
And their romances and their grievances. 
Help her forget them, Willie. 

[She takes a key out of her -pocket and 
-puts it in the lock of the bedroom door, 
then turns before she opens the door~] 

Pommery? 
Willie. 

[Nodding] 
And a tasty little supper for your Willie ! 



Tiger 47 



Tiger. 

[Unlocking the door] 
Remember now, you're not to preach- 

Willie. 



Nor peach. 
Tiger. 
Promise ! 

Willie. 

I promise. Wish me good luck, Tiger ! 
[She opens the door for him; he enters 
the bedroom. There is a pause, then, in- 
side the bedroom, a scream of mingled 
terror and joy from the girl, and a moan 
from the man] 

Margaret. 

[Her voice is heard, heartrending] 
Father! Father, I knew you'd come! 
Father ! 

Willie. 

[Reappearing and facing the women, 
livid] 
Give me her clothes ! Damn you, give me 
her clothes! 



48 Tiger 

\Tiger stands motionless, petrified. Anna- 
bel crosses as in a nightmare and picks up 
Margarefs clothes from the couch. As 
she pulls them across the table, the poker- 
chips are dragged to the floor. Annabel 
turns at the sound and looks down at the 
poker-chips, dazed. Willie re-enters the 
bedroom. Annabel suddenly drops the 
clothes on the floor and runs out into the 
hall. Tiger stands motionless^ 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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